When to Seek Medical Help
Warning signs after taking an adaptogen and who to contact: 911, Poison Help, 988, a clinician or pharmacist, plus how to report a problem to the FDA. Information, not medical advice.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read who should be careful, by situation before you use anything on this page.
If it is an emergency, call 911. In life-threatening situations, call 911. [1] If you or someone else may have taken too much of a product, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US). For other countries, see Poison Help by country. If you are in emotional distress or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 (US). [1]
"Adaptogen" is a contested term from Soviet-era research, not a regulatory category, and the plants have different risks. This page is a plain guide to warning signs, not medical advice and not a substitute for emergency care.
Signs the FDA lists as serious reactions to dietary supplements
The FDA's page on reporting problems lists these examples of serious reactions or illnesses:- Itching, rash, hives, throat, lip or tongue swelling, or wheezing [2]
- Low blood pressure, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations or irregular heartbeat [2]
- Severe, persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain [2]
- Difficulty urinating, decreased urination or dark urine [2]
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes [2]
- Marked mood, cognitive or behavioral changes, or thoughts of suicide [2]
- Stroke signs: slurred speech, one-sided weakness of the face, arm or leg, or blurry or lost vision [2]
The FDA says adverse reactions can result in emergency room visits or hospitalization. For breathing trouble, severe allergic reaction or stroke signs, treat it as an emergency; see when to call 911, Poison Help or a clinician.
Signs linked to specific adaptogens in the sources we read
| Plant | Reported problem | Source and kind of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) | Drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting in some people. [3] Rare liver injury: in one case series, jaundice, nausea, tiredness, itching and abdominal discomfort after 2 to 12 weeks. [4] | NCCIH; case series |
| Ashwagandha | Overactive thyroid (thyrotoxicosis) reported in case reports; symptoms resolved after stopping the supplement. [5][6][7] | Case reports |
| Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) | Insomnia is the most common side effect; uncommon reports include severe rash, liver damage and severe allergic reactions. [8] | NCCIH |
| Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) | Dizziness, headache, insomnia, and dry mouth or extra saliva. [9] | NCCIH |
| Licorice root | Irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest, especially in large amounts or long term. [10] | NCCIH |
These are reports of individual people, not measures of how often a problem happens. A symptom that appears after starting a product may have another cause, which a clinician can sort out.
What to do
- Emergency signs: call 911. [1]
- Possible overdose or a child who swallowed a product: call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US). See what to tell Poison Help.
- Distress or suicidal thoughts: call or text 988 (US). [1]
- Other side effects: NCCIH says if you have side effects, stop taking the supplement and contact your health care provider. [11] Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine without asking the prescriber or pharmacist.
- Report it: the FDA asks consumers and professionals to report health-related reactions through its Safety Reporting Portal, because it does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold. [2] See side effects and reporting.
- Bring the bottle, or a photo of the label, so the clinician can see the ingredients.
Ashwagandha overdose: what we could and could not find
Proper evidence not found for overdose-specific treatment or a threshold amount for ashwagandha. We looked at the NCCIH and Memorial Sloan Kettering ashwagandha pages and ran PubMed searches on ashwagandha overdose, poisoning and toxicity; none gave guidance we could read and cite here. Poison Help is the place to ask.More: when to stop and seek advice, ashwagandha side effects and liver reports.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call if I took too much of an adaptogen?
In the US, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911. [1]
What are signs of liver trouble after a supplement?
The FDA lists yellowing of the skin or eyes and dark urine among its examples of serious reactions. [2] NCCIH notes that more cases of sudden liver damage in people taking supplements are being reported. [11]
Should I stop the supplement if I feel unwell?
NCCIH says to stop taking the supplement if you have side effects and contact your health care provider. [11] The FDA says to stop using the product if you think it caused a serious reaction. [2]
Can adaptogens cause allergic reactions?
NCCIH lists severe allergic reactions among uncommon reported effects of Asian ginseng. [8] The FDA lists swelling and wheezing as signs of serious reactions. [2]
How do I report a problem?
Use the FDA's Safety Reporting Portal described on its dietary supplement reporting page. [2]
References
- National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar Disorder. Read 2026-10-23.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. How to Report a Problem with Dietary Supplements. Content current as of 03/13/2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Ashwagandha: Usefulness and Safety. Last updated March 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- Ashwagandha-induced liver injury: a case series from Iceland and the US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network. Liver Int. 2020. Read 2026-10-23.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Ashwagandha (About Herbs). Read 2026-10-23.
- Ashwagandha as a unique cause of thyrotoxicosis presenting with supraventricular tachycardia. Case report, 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- Painless thyroiditis by Withania somnifera (ashwagandha). Case report, 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Asian Ginseng: Usefulness and Safety. Last updated February 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Rhodiola: Usefulness and Safety. Last updated April 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-23.